Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1887-03-31
.SHERMAN'S SPEECH
DELIVERED IN THE HALL OF
REPRESENTATIVES,
At Nashville, to the Republicans OF the
Legislature--Fuil Text OF the Great
Speech.

At Nashville, to the Republicans OF the
Legislature--Full Text OF the Great
Speech.
Fellow -citizens: accepted the invita-
tion Of the Republican members of the
legislature Of Tennessee to address them
on this occasion not so much with the
hope that could encourage them by an
expression Of the hearty sympathy Of
Republicans Of the United States in their
gallant struggle for Republican principles
as from the belief l entertain that fair
presentation made to the people of Ten
without distinction of party, of the aims
and principles of our party, both in the
past and for the future, might induce
them to join with us in public policy
that will contribute to the interests of the
people of Tennessee, and of the whole
country, more and greater benefits and
advantages than can possibly be confer
red upon them by the Democratic party.
/ have felt that the differences that
grew out of the war now hold large
body of honest and patriotic citizens Of
the South from cooperating with the
Republican party, who, in my judgment,
are now in sympathy with us; that per-
haps, l might be able to dissipate these
prejudices by frank statement Of the
views which have actuated the Republi-
can party in the past, and thus bring us
into cooperation In measures tending to
advance the common interests and pros
perity of our country. At all events feel
confident that the people Of Tennessee,
who, from the very earliest settlement
have been distinguished for their courage
and independence. will give stranger
among them fair hearing for honest
opinions.
When / first entered political life, l was
in hearty sympathy with the majority of
the people of Tennessee. Twas disci-
pie of that school Of politics of which
Henry Clay and John Bell were the lead
ing apostles was taught to love the
Union and to cling to 1t as the anchor of
safety, never to be diminished in terrific
rY or power, but to be increased and
strengthened; that was citizen not Of
Ohio or of Tennessee, but of the United
States, claiming one great flag, covering
with its ample folds every citizen Of the
Republic. wherever his wondering steps
might lead him.
was also taught to believe that the
Constitution of the United States was the
bond or Federal Union, written by ou,
fathers with more than human wisdom
that 1t should be construed, not strictly
like an indictment, not like bond framet
by an usurer, which cunning Portii
might construe away by subtle reasoning
but charter of liberty, to be construed
literally, and so as to carry out all the OBJ
jects OF its founders. In other words,
looked upon our Government as Nation
| al Government, with general powers, su
preme within the limit Of those powers
and with a Federal Court selected as thu
sole final tribunal to pass upon the limit
and extent of these powers.
was also taught to love, cherish ant
respect the rights Of the States, and to re
gard them as the agents of the people fo
| local purposes, precisely as the Geners
J Government Is the agent OF the peopl
. for National purposes; that they were I
be loved, cherished and respected as tn
guardians of personal rights, of famil
5 relations, Of property and social ties, an
n that love for ones State was entirely cor
sistent with the love of country, as th
love Of mother Is with that Of father
!, States rights as distinguished from Ma
tional authority has been the disturbin
! element of American politics, To tn
a people at large both State and Nation al
convenient agencies for the exercise Q
distinct and separate powers for the con
mon good; to the individual citizen the
are the guardians of distinct and sep,
, rate rights and privileges. for whic
y we owe allegiance and duty. They al
not hostile spheres, but, like the plane
moving in the grand harmony of the un
7 verse, in friendly cooperation; but 1t
!: the people, the whole people and nothin
but the people, that is the governing an
. paramount power to our system. Thi
at least, Is the theory l have been iaugh
n and If any of you, reared in differel
: school, have inherited jealously and su
!. picion of Federal authority and of c
" pccial reverence for that Of the State {
: Tennessee you may find in this the ger
% of the controversy fought out In the wa
y y II / understand the princi pies of the X
% publican party, would say they are er
!. braced in the trinity Of Union, Constit
y tion and Countryside preservation OF u
n Union; the maintenance Of the full poy
y ers Of the Constitution and the growt
W prosperity and grandeur of our countl
in all its parts as 1t Is now or Is to b
These ideas we inherit from the wise
.. !statesmen in American history, and no
Il since they have been reaiiirmed by Il
war there is nothing to divide Americ'
citizens by sectional lines but prejudi
M NJ and passion.
n This was not so before the War. o
q fathers found In most OF the States a $,
70 tenn Of servitude Inconsistent with I
40 genius OF her institutions. They did n
!. ). undertake to deal with 1t. nor was I
y feeling against slavery confined to 81
n tional lines. The most eloquent denu
4 citation of slavery came from Jeffers
G G. and Mason. and It had Its interested .
or Tenders both North and South. o
ID fathers found 1t and left 1t as q local
pr stilution to the States, but provided u
y. fugitives from service escaping from 9
State 10 another should be surrendered
ut the owner.
a, THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT SLAVERY ARC
ct first as TO newly acquired territory, !
y this was settled from time to time
ia compromises, and which were acq
RS esced IN by both political parties. IL
'r- believed by such statesmen as Henry q
\, and John Bell that the compromise
lie lie 1850 was the end Of sectional controv